US8454580B2 - Adjustable reduced-pressure wound coverings - Google Patents

Abstract

Adjustable covers, systems, and methods are presented that include an adjustable cover that may be adjusted to an appropriate size by hand without requiring cutting tools and without substantial leaks. In one instance, the adjustable covering includes a drape member with a plurality of non-leaking tear paths. Each non-leaking tear path includes a weakened path of the drape member that may be torn. The adjustable covering may further include a first plurality of tear starters formed on a first initiation edge of the drape member. Each tear starter of the first plurality of tear starters is aligned with one of the plurality of tear paths. Each of the first plurality of tear starters is adapted to facilitate the initiation of a tear along a tear path. The grains of the drape member, a backing layer, and support layer may also be in the same direction. Other adjustable covers, systems, and methods are presented.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

The present invention claims the benefit, under 35 USC §119(e), of the filing of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/313,225, entitled “Adjustable Reduced-Pressure Wound Coverings,” filed Mar. 12, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to medical treatment systems and, more particularly, to adjustable reduced-pressure wound coverings.

Clinical studies and practice have shown that providing a reduced pressure in proximity to a tissue site augments and accelerates the growth of new tissue at the tissue site. The applications of this phenomenon are numerous, but application of reduced pressure has been particularly successful in treating wounds. This treatment (frequently referred to in the medical community as “negative pressure wound therapy,” “reduced pressure therapy,” or “vacuum therapy”) provides a number of benefits, which may include faster healing and increased formulation of granulation tissue. Typically, reduced pressure is applied to tissue through a porous pad or other manifold device. The porous pad distributes reduced pressure to the tissue and channels fluids that are drawn from the tissue. The porous pad is typically covered by a covering, or drape.

SUMMARY

According to an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, a reduced-pressure treatment system for treating a tissue site on a patient includes a manifold for placing proximate to the tissue site, an adjustable covering for forming a fluid seal over the manifold and a portion of the patient's epidermis, a reduced-pressure interface coupled to the adjustable covering for providing reduced pressure through the adjustable covering, and a reduced-pressure source fluidly coupled to the reduced-pressure interface. The adjustable covering includes a drape member having a first initiation edge and a second initiation edge and having a first side and a second, patient-facing side. The adjustable covering has a plurality of non-leaking tear paths formed on the drape member. Each non-leaking tear path includes a weakened path of the drape member that may be torn by hand. The adjustable cover also may include a first plurality of tear starters formed on a first initiation edge of the drape member. Each tear starter of the first plurality of tear starters is aligned with one of the plurality of tear paths. Each of the first plurality of tear starters is adapted to facilitate the initiation of a tear along a tear path.

According to another illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, an adjustable covering for use with a reduced-pressure treatment system includes a drape member having a first initiation edge and a second initiation edge and having a first side and a second, patient-facing side. The adjustable covering further includes a plurality of non-leaking tear paths formed on the drape member. Each non-leaking tear path includes a weakened path of the drape member that may be torn. The adjustable covering further includes a first plurality of tear starters formed on a first initiation edge of the drape member. Each tear starter of the first plurality of tear starters is aligned with one of the plurality of tear paths. Each of the first plurality of tear starters is adapted to facilitate the initiation of a tear along a tear path.

According to another illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, a method of treating a tissue site on a patient with reduced pressure includes placing a manifold proximate to the tissue site, sizing an adjustable covering to fit over the manifold and a portion of the patient's epidermis to form a fluid seal, and fluidly coupling a reduced-pressure source to the adjustable covering to provide reduced pressure to the manifold. The adjustable covering includes a drape member having a first initiation edge and a second initiation edge and having a first side and a second, patient-facing side. The adjustable covering further includes a plurality of non-leaking tear paths formed on the drape member. Each non-leaking tear path includes a weakened path of the drape member that may be torn by hand. The adjustable covering also may include a first plurality of tear starters formed on a first initiation edge of the drape member. Each tear starter of the first plurality of tear starters is aligned with one of the plurality of tear paths. Each of the first plurality of tear starters is adapted to facilitate the initiation of a tear along a tear path. The step of sizing the adjustable drape includes tearing the drape member along at least one of the plurality of tear paths to present a smaller adjustable covering.

According to another illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, a method of manufacturing an adjustable covering for use with a reduced-pressure treatment system includes forming a drape member having a first initiation edge and a second initiation edge and having a first side and a second, patient-facing side. The method also includes forming a plurality of non-leaking tear paths on the drape member. Each non-leaking tear path includes a weakened path of the drape member that may be torn. The method further includes forming a first plurality of tear starters on a first initiation edge of the drape material. Each tear starter of the first plurality of tear starters is aligned with one of the plurality of tear paths. Each of the first plurality of tear starters is adapted to facilitate the initiation of a tear along a tear path.

Other objects and advantages of the illustrative embodiments will become apparent with reference to the drawings and detailed description that follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram with a portion shown in cross section of an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment of a reduced-pressure treatment system with an adjustable covering;

FIG. 2 is a schematic, perspective view of an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment of an adjustable covering;

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross section of the adjustable covering ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a detail of a portion of the adjustable covering shown inFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic, perspective view of a tool creating an illustrative non-leaking tear path on an adjustable covering;

FIG. 6 is a cross section of a portion of another illustrative embodiment of an adjustable covering with a tear path; and

FIG. 7 is the cross section ofFIG. 6 after the tear path has been torn and a support layer and a backing layer have been removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical structural, mechanical, electrical, and chemical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. To avoid detail not necessary to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments described herein, the description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the illustrative embodiments are defined only by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings and primarily toFIG. 1, a reduced-pressure treatment system100 for treating atissue site102 is presented that includes anadjustable covering106. Thetissue site102 may be, for example, awound104. Thewound104 may include, without limitation, any irregularity with a tissue, such as an open wound, surgical incision, or diseased tissue. Thewound104 is shown extending through theepidermis107, or generally skin, and thedermis108 and reaching into a hypodermis, orsubcutaneous tissue110. The reduced-pressure treatment system100 may be used to treat a tissue, such as a wound of any depth, as well as many different types of tissue sites including open wounds or intact tissue. Thetissue site102 may be the bodily tissue of any human, animal, or other organism, including bone tissue, adipose tissue, muscle tissue, dermal tissue, vascular tissue, connective tissue, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, or any other tissue.

The reduced-pressure treatment system100 may include amanifold112, theadjustable covering106, and a reduced-pressure subsystem114. Themanifold112 is operable to distribute reduced pressure. Theadjustable covering106 provides a fluid seal over thetissue site102. “Fluid seal,” or “seal,” means a seal adequate to maintain reduced pressure at a desired site given the particular reduced-pressure source or subsystem involved. Theadjustable covering106 may be sized by the healthcare provider at the time of application by hand without requiring cutting tools. The reduced-pressure treatment system100 may include anattachment device116 to help form a fluid seal between theadjustable covering106 and the patient'sepidermis107. Theadjustable covering106 has afirst side118 and a second, patient-facingside120. The manifold112 is positioned between the second, patient-facing (inward-facing)side120 of theadjustable covering106 and thetissue site102.

The term “manifold” as used herein generally refers to a substance or structure that is provided to assist in applying reduced pressure to, delivering fluids to, or removing fluids from a tissue site, e.g.,tissue site102. The manifold112 typically includes a plurality of flow channels or pathways to distribute fluids provided to and remove fluids from around themanifold112. The plurality of flow channels or pathways may be interconnected. The manifold112 may be a biocompatible material that is capable of being placed in contact with a tissue site, e.g.,tissue site102, and distributing reduced pressure to thetissue site102. Examples of manifold members may include, without limitation, devices that have structural elements arranged to form flow channels, such as, for example, cellular foam, open-cell foam, porous tissue collections, and foams that include, or cure to include, flow channels. Thus, for example, the manifold112 may be porous and may be made from foam, gauze, felted mat, or other material. The manifold112 may be formed directly from a porous material, e.g., a foam, or from a material that is made porous, e.g., a solid member in which apertures have been applied.

As a non-limiting example, the porous foam may be a polyurethane, open-cell, reticulated foam, such as a GranuFoam® material manufactured by Kinetic Concepts, Incorporated of San Antonio, Tex., or Granufoam Silver® material manufactured by Kinetic Concepts, Incorporated of San Antonio, Tex. As another non-limiting example, a polyvinyl alcohol foam, such as White Foam, which also available from Kinetic Concepts, Incorporated of San Antonio, Tex., might be used in some situations.

As will be described further below, theadjustable covering106 may be sized so that theadjustable covering106 overlaps thewound104 in such a manner that a portion of theadjustable covering106 extends beyond the periphery of thewound104 to form anextension122. Theadjustable covering106 may be formed from any material that provides a fluid seal. Theadjustable covering106 may, for example, be an impermeable or semi-permeable, elastomeric material. “Elastomeric” means having the properties of an elastomer. Elastomeric material generally refers to a polymeric material that has rubber-like properties. More specifically, most elastomers have ultimate elongations greater than 100% and a significant amount of resilience. The resilience of a material refers to the material's ability to recover from an elastic deformation. Examples of elastomers may include, but are not limited to, natural rubbers, polyisoprene, styrene butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, polybutadiene, nitrile rubber, butyl rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, ethylene propylene diene monomer, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, polysulfide rubber, polyurethane (PU), EVA film, co-polyester, and silicones. Additional, specific examples of sealing member materials include a silicone drape, a 3M Tegaderm® drape, or a polyurethane (PU) drape such as one available from Avery Dennison Corporation of Pasadena, Calif.

Theadjustable covering106 in some of the present embodiments may be selected to be less elastomeric in nature. In these embodiments, the material allows for at least some plastic deformation or permanent stretching in response to a local stretching tool (e.g.,local stretching tool166 inFIG. 5) while maintaining the ability to stretch at least some.

Theattachment device116 may be used to attach theadjustable covering106 to the patient'sepidermis107 or another layer, such as a gasket or additional sealing member. Theattachment device116 may take numerous forms. For example, theattachment device116 may be a medically-acceptable, pressure-sensitive adhesive that is applied to theextension122 of theadjustable covering106. Alternatively, the pressure-sensitive adhesive may span the entire width of theadjustable covering106. Alternative attachment devices may include, but are not limited to, heat-activated adhesives, sealing tapes, double-sided sealing tapes, pastes, hydrocolloids, hydrogels, hooks, sutures, or other device.

The reduced-pressure subsystem114 includes a reduced-pressure source124, which can take many different forms. The reduced-pressure source124 provides reduced pressure. The reduced-pressure source124 may be any device for supplying a reduced pressure, such as a vacuum pump, wall suction, or other source. While the amount and nature of reduced pressure applied totissue site102 will typically vary according to the application, the reduced pressure will typically be between −5 mm Hg and −500 mm Hg and more typically between −100 mm Hg and −300 mm Hg. For example, and not by way of limitation, the pressure may be −90, −100, −110, −120, −130, −140, −150, −160, −170, −180, −190, −200 mm Hg or another pressure.

As used herein, “reduced pressure” generally refers to a pressure less than the ambient pressure at a tissue site that is being subjected to treatment. In most cases, this reduced pressure will be less than the atmospheric pressure at which the patient is located. Alternatively, the reduced pressure may be less than a hydrostatic pressure at the tissue site. The reduced pressure delivered may be constant, varied (patterned or random) and may be delivered continuously or intermittently. Unless otherwise indicated, values of pressure stated herein are gauge pressures. Although the terms “vacuum” and “negative pressure” may be used to describe the pressure applied to the tissue site, the actual pressure applied to the tissue site may be more than the pressure normally associated with a complete vacuum. Consistent with the use herein, an increase in reduced pressure or vacuum pressure typically refers to a relative reduction in absolute pressure.

The reduced pressure developed by the reduced-pressure source124 is delivered through the reduced-pressure conduit126, throughcanister128, to a reduced-pressure interface130. In one illustrative embodiment, the reduced-pressure interface130 is a TRAC® technology port available from Kinetic Concepts, Inc. of San Antonio, Tex. The reduced-pressure interface130 allows the reduced pressure to be realized within a sealed space below theadjustable covering106 and realized within themanifold112.

In operation, the manifold112 may be placed proximate thetissue site102, e.g., wound104. Theadjustable covering106 may be adjusted to the desired size and placed over the manifold112 such that theextension122 extends beyond the periphery of thewound104. Theextension122 may be secured to the patient'sepidermis107 by theattachment device116 in order to form a fluid seal over a portion of the patient'sepidermis107 and themanifold112. The reduced-pressure interface130 may then be applied, if not already installed. The reduced-pressure conduit126 is fluidly coupled to the reduced-pressure interface130 and fluidly coupled to the reduced-pressure source124.

The reduced-pressure subsystem114 may be activated. Under reduced pressure, fluids will be delivered from thetissue site102 to the manifold112 and through the reduced-pressure conduit126 to thecanister128.

In applying the reduced-pressure treatment system100, the manifold112 may have pre-cuts that allow the healthcare provider to size the manifold112 to approximately the same size as thewound104 or to a size desired for treatment. Likewise, theadjustable covering106 has non-leaking tear paths that facilitate sizing without requiring cutting tools.

Referring now primarily toFIGS. 2-5, an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment of theadjustable covering106 having a plurality ofnon-leaking flow paths140 is presented. Theadjustable covering106 includes adrape member134 having afirst initiation edge136 and asecond initiation edge138. Theadjustable covering106 may have areleaseable support layer135 and areleaseable backing layer137. Thereleasable backing layer137 may initially cover the attachment device116 (FIG. 1; not explicitly shown inFIGS. 2-4) and is releasably coupled to the second, patient-facingside120 ofadjustable covering106. Thesupport layer135 may be releasably coupled to thefirst side118 of theadjustable covering106 and may provide extra support to theadjustable covering106 while theadjustable covering106 is being deployed or prepared for deployment.

Thedrape member134 may be formed with a grain or adrape grain139. Analogous to cutting with or across a grain on a piece of wood, thedrape member134 is inherently easier to tear in the direction of thedrape grain139 and more difficult to tear cross-grain. In the illustrative embodiment ofFIG. 2, thedrape grain139 is shown in a first direction that is parallel to a plurality ofnon-leaking tear paths140. Similarly, thesupport layer135 and thereleaseable backing layer137 may each have a grain, i.e., the support grain and backing grain, respectively. To facilitate tearing along the plurality ofnon-leaking tear paths140, thedrape grain139, support grain, and backing grain may all be aligned in the same direction.

Theadjustable covering106 is formed with the plurality ofnon-leaking tear paths140 formed on thedrape member134. The plurality ofnon-leaking tear paths140 may be linear as shown, circular, patterned, or any other shape. In the illustrative embodiment, the plurality ofnon-leaking tear paths140 includes a firstnon-leaking tear path142, secondnon-leaking tear path144, thirdnon-leaking tear path146, fourthnon-leaking tear path148, etc. Each tear path of the plurality ofnon-leaking tear paths140 on thefirst initiation edge136 may be aligned with a tear starter of a first plurality oftear starters150, e.g., afirst tear starter152,second tear starter154,third tear starter156,fourth tear starter158, etc.

The first plurality oftear starters150 may be formed by forming a plurality of notches, cuts, or thinned portions on thefirst initiation edge136 of thedrape member134. Thetear starters150 may also be formed by adding a backing or platform that extends beyond aperipheral edge141 of thedrape member134 and that has perforations that allow a healthcare provider to initiate a tear in the backing or platform before reaching an associatedtear path140. Each tear starter of the first plurality oftear starters150 is aligned with one of thenon-leaking tear paths140. Each of the first plurality oftear starters150 is adapted to facilitate the initiation of a tear along a tear path of the plurality ofnon-leaking tear paths140. In an analogous manner, a second plurality oftear starters159 may be formed on thesecond initiation edge138.

A plurality of weakenedpaths160 correspond to the plurality ofnon-leaking tear paths140 to facilitate tearing. The plurality of weakenedpaths160 may be formed in a number of ways. For example, the weakenedpaths160 may be formed by local stretching, partial removal of drape material, or application of external energy. In one embodiment involving local stretching, thedrape member134 may be locally stretched by forming a micro-ridge162 that stretches thedrape member134 to form a portion with a smaller thickness t₁than a thickness t₂of theun-stretched portion164 of thedrape member134, i.e., t₁<t₂.

FIG. 5 shows alocal stretching tool166, which has arotating wheel168 withblunt pegs170, that forms themicro-ridges162 resulting in a stretched portion with less material (i.e., t₁<t₂) and thereby creating a weakened path. Theblunt pegs170 may be any impinging member that causes stretching but does not puncture thedrape member134. Asupport surface172, either hard or soft (e.g., foam), may be placed under thedrape member134 at the time thelocal stretching tool166 is pressed against thedrape member134. This process may be done using an automated manufacturing process.

A non-limiting example of the second approach to forming the plurality of weakenedpaths160 includes chemical etching with optical masks that remove material to create lines of weakness. Material may also be removed using heat or ultrasonic ablation.

Other techniques may be used to weaken thedrape member134 to create the plurality of weakenedpaths160. As an example of external energy being used, e.g., laser (heat) energy may be used to locally disrupt the semicryslalline nature of the polymer forming thedrape member134 to impart a localized physical weakness. The localized physical weakness forms the plurality of weakenedpaths160 that form the plurality ofnon-leaking tear paths140. Lasers may also be used to advance crosslinking or degradation (for example by the activation of materials such as dyes in the polymer) to initiate controlled lines of physical weakness in thedrape member134. All of the above would need to either reduce locally the material thickness to create a weakness, or in some other way cause a polymeric weakness which may be exploited during the tear along the grain of the material of thedrape member134.

As another approach still, portions of thedrape member134 between the locations of the plurality of weakenedpaths160 may be fortified such that the plurality of weakenedpaths160 are weak by comparison to the other portions. For example, a plurality of a fibers may be added to the drape or a strength-inducing coating may be added between the desired locations for the plurality of weakenedpaths160.

In creating the plurality ofnon-leaking tear paths140, it is desirable to form theadjustable covering106 so that theadjustable covering106 will not leak when in use. Thus, for example, straight-through perforations in thedrape member134 would not be satisfactory because the perforations would allow leaking by theadjustable covering106 when reduced pressure was applied.

Perforations may, however, be used in another embodiment. For example, as shown primarily inFIGS. 6 and 7, thedrape member134 may be formed with afirst drape layer174 and asecond drape layer176. Thefirst drape layer174 has afirst side178 and a second, patient-facingside180. Thesecond drape layer176 has afirst side182 and a second, patient-facing side184. The second, patient-facingside180 is adjacent to thefirst side182 of thesecond drape layer176. Thefirst drape layer174 has a firstperforated path186 having acenter line188. The firstperforated path186 may be formed with micro-perforations that weaken thefirst drape layer174 and facilitate tearing. Thesecond drape layer176 has a secondperforated path190 with acenter line192. The secondperforated path190 may also be formed with micro-perforations, which weaken thesecond drape layer176 and facilitate tearing. Thecenter line188 of the first perforation path is displaced, or misregistered, from thecenter line192 of thesecond perforation path190 by adistance194.Distance194 may be less than a few millimeters.

An area of misregistration bounded by the firstperforated path186 and the secondperforated path190 defines a tear path of the plurality ofnon-leaking tear paths140. At the same time, the misregistration allows the first andsecond perforation paths186,190 to be sealed when not in use by the second and first drape layers176,174 and to thereby avoid leaking.FIG. 7 shows the first and second drape layers174,176 after thefirst support layer135 and thereleaseable backing layer137 have been removed and thefirst perforation path186 and thesecond perforation path190 torn.

To adjust the size of theadjustable covering106, according to one illustrative embodiment, the desired tear path of the plurality ofnon-leaking tear paths140 is selected to allow the remaining portion of theadjustable covering106 to be the desired size. Two portions of the tear starter of the first plurality oftear starters150 aligning with the selected tear path desired are pulled away from each other to initiate a tear along the selected non-leaking tear path. Thus, for example, as shown inFIG. 2, thefirst tear starter152 is shown being pulled indirection196 and198 to start the tear along the firstnon-leaking tear path142. The tear causes an associated weakened path of the plurality of weakenedpaths160 to separate. Theadjustable covering106 is thereby sized.

In another illustrative embodiment, thedrape member134 may be formed with different segments having different drape grains and non-leaking tear paths may be formed parallel to the drape grains in each segment to provide a drape that may be torn in different directions. This would allow, for example, theadjustable covering106 to be modified in at least two different directions—longitudinal and lateral directions.

Although the present invention and its advantages have been disclosed in the context of certain illustrative, non-limiting embodiments, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, permutations, and alterations can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. It will be appreciated that any feature that is described in connection to any one embodiment may also be applicable to any other embodiment.

It will be understood that the benefits and advantages described above may relate to one embodiment or may relate to several embodiments. It will further be understood that reference to ‘an’ item refers to one or more of those items.

The steps of the methods described herein may be carried out in any suitable order, or simultaneously where appropriate.

Where appropriate, aspects of any of the examples described above may be combined with aspects of any of the other examples described to form further examples having comparable or different properties and addressing the same or different problems.

It will be understood that the above description of preferred embodiments is given by way of example only and that various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art. The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the structure and use of exemplary embodiments of the invention. Although various embodiments of the invention have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims.

Claims (11)

We claim:

1. A reduced-pressure treatment system for treating a tissue site on a patient, the system comprising:

a manifold for placing proximate to the tissue site;

an adjustable covering for forming a fluid seal over the manifold and a portion of the patient's epidermis;

a reduced-pressure interface coupled to the adjustable covering for providing reduced pressure through the adjustable covering;

a reduced-pressure source fluidly coupled to the reduced-pressure interface; and

wherein the adjustable covering comprises:

a drape member comprising a first drape layer and a second drape layer, wherein the first drape layer has a first perforation pathway and the second drape layer has a second perforation pathway, the first perforation pathway is misregistered from the second perforation pathway, and the drape member has a first initiation edge and a second initiation edge and has a first side and a second, patient-facing side,

a plurality of non-leaking tear paths formed on the drape member, wherein each non-leaking tear path comprises a weakened path of the drape member that facilitates tearing of the drape, and an area of misregistration between the first perforation pathway and the second perforation pathway comprises a tear path of the plurality of non-leaking tear paths and

a first plurality of tear starters, wherein each tear starter of the first plurality of tear starters is aligned with one of the plurality of non-leaking tear paths, and wherein each of the first plurality of tear starters is adapted to facilitate the initiation of a tear along the one of the plurality of non-leaking tear paths.

2. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the adjustable covering further comprises a backing layer releasably coupled to the second, patient-facing side of the drape member, wherein the drape member has a drape grain in a first direction and the backing layer has a backing grain also in the first direction.

3. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the adjustable covering further comprises a support layer releasably coupled to the first side of the drape member, wherein the drape member has a drape grain in a first direction and the support layer has a support grain also in the first direction.

4. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the adjustable covering further comprises a backing layer releasably coupled to the second, patient-facing side of the drape member; a support layer releasably coupled to the first side of the drape member; and wherein the drape member has a drape grain in a first direction, the backing layer has a backing grain also in the first direction, and the support layer has a support grain also in the first direction.

5. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the adjustable covering further comprises:

a backing layer releasably coupled to the second, patient-facing side of the drape member;

a support layer releasably coupled to the first side of the drape member;

wherein the drape member has a drape grain in a first direction, the backing layer has a backing grain also in the first direction, and the support layer has a support grain also in the first direction;

a second plurality of tear starters formed on the second initiation edge of the drape member, wherein each of the second plurality of tear starters is aligned with one tear path of the plurality of non-leaking tear paths, and wherein each of the plurality of tear starters of the second plurality of tear starters is adapted to facilitate the initiation of a tear along one of the plurality of non-leaking tear paths; and

wherein the plurality of non-leaking tear paths comprises a plurality of weakened-material paths formed by local stretching.

6. An adjustable covering for use with a reduced-pressure treatment system, the adjustable covering comprising:

a drape member comprising a first drape layer and a second drape layer, wherein the first drape layer has a first perforation path and the second drape layer has a second perforation path, the first perforation path is misregistered from the second perforation path, and the drape member has a first initiation edge and a second initiation edge and has a first side and a second, patient-facing side; and

a plurality of non-leaking tear paths extending across at least a portion of a width of the drape, wherein each non-leaking tear path comprises a weakened path of the drape member that facilitates tearing of the drape, and an area of misregistration between the first perforation path and the second perforation path comprises a tear path of the plurality of non-leaking tear paths.

7. The adjustable covering ofclaim 6, further comprising a first plurality of tear starters formed on the first initiation edge of the drape member, wherein each tear starter of the first plurality of tear starters comprises a recessed area formed on the first initiation edge and is aligned with one of the plurality of non-leaking tear paths, and wherein each of the first plurality of tear starters is adapted to facilitate the initiation of a tear along one of the plurality of non-leaking tear paths.

8. The adjustable covering ofclaim 7, further comprising:

a backing layer releasably coupled to the second, patient-facing side of the drape member;

a support layer releasably coupled to the first side of the drape member;

wherein the drape member has a drape grain in a first direction, the backing layer has a backing grain also in the first direction, and the support layer has a support grain also in the first direction;

a second plurality of tear starters formed on the second initiation edge of the drape member, wherein each of the second plurality of tear starters is aligned with one tear path of the plurality of non-leaking tear paths, and wherein each of the plurality of tear starters of the second plurality of tear starters is adapted to facilitate the initiation of a tear along one of the plurality of non-leaking tear paths; and

wherein the plurality of non-leaking tear paths comprises a plurality of weakened-material paths formed by local stretching.

9. The adjustable covering ofclaim 6, further comprising a backing layer releasably coupled to the second, patient-facing side of the drape member, wherein the drape member has a drape grain in a first direction and the backing layer has a backing grain also in the first direction.

10. The adjustable covering ofclaim 6, further comprising a support layer releasably coupled to the first side of the drape member, wherein the drape member has a drape grain in a first direction and the support layer has a support grain also in the first direction.

11. The adjustable covering ofclaim 6, further comprising a backing layer releasably coupled to the second, patient-facing side of the drape member; a support layer releasably coupled to the first side of the drape member; and wherein the drape member has a drape grain in a first direction, the backing layer has a backing grain also in the first direction, and the support layer has a support grain also in the first direction.

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